Religion briefs

News-Times, The (Danbury, CT), Newstimes

Published 1:00 am, Friday, November 28, 2008

Church of Bethel

BETHEL -- Dr.
Charles Schleich
, interim pastor, will preach on "Wonderful Counselor" at Sunday's 10:30 a.m. service at the church, 239 Greenwood Ave.
Cathy Dy will present a dramatic presentation, "I Was the Woman at the Well" during the service. Children's church will be offered during the service, and Sunday school for all ages will begin at 9 a.m.
A prayer meeting and programs for children and youth will be Thursday at 7 p.m.
For more information, call (203) 791-8015 or visit
www.churchofbethel.org
.
First Congregational
BETHEL -- The Rev. Dr.
Sheldon T. Smith

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will deliver the sermon "Using Time Wisely" at Sunday's 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. services at the church, 46 Main St.
Church school will be offered during the earlier service. Holy Communion will be offered during the later service and a fellowship supper will follow.
For more information, call (203) 743-1877 or visit
www.firstchurchbethel.org
.
Seventh-day Adventist
BETHEL --
David Berthiaume
, pastor, will deliver the sermon at Saturday's 11 a.m. service at the church, 67 Turkey Plain Road (Route 53).
Sabbath school for children and adults begins at 9:30 a.m. A fellowship dinner follows the service.
A gospel concert featuring singer
Fidel Zayco
will be Dec. 6 from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Free-will offerings to support the
Pathfinder Club
's trip to the International Camporee in Oshkosh, Wis., will be accepted.
For more information, call (203) 743-2112.
David and Cathyann Berthiaume will present a weekly seminar on "What Does the Future Hold? You Can Find Hope Instead of Horror!" Wednesdays at 7:15 p.m. at the church. For more information and to register, call (203) 597-1980.
United Methodist
BETHEL -- The Rev.
Vicky Fleming
will discuss "Waiting for God" at Sunday's 8:30 and 10 a.m. services at the church, 141 Greenwood Ave.
An open Communion table will be available at both services. Church school takes place during the 10 a.m. service.
A service of light will take place Monday at 7:30 p.m. in the sanctuary.
For more information, call (203) 743-6835 or send an e-mail to bmethodistchurch@snet.net.
Walnut Hill Community
BETHEL -- The Rev. Dr.
Clive Calver
, senior pastor, will share the sermon "As Long as I'm Good, I'm Going to Heaven" at Saturday's 5 p.m. service and Sunday's 8:10, 9:30 and 11:10 a.m. services at the church, 156 Walnut Hill Road.
Brian Mowrey
, assistant pastor, will share the sermon "Dive Into Holiness -- Relationships" at Sunday's 6 p.m. service.
For more information, call (203) 796-7373 or visit
www.walnuthillcc.org
.

St. Mark's Episcopal
BRIDGEWATER -- In celebration of the first Sunday of Advent, the Rev.
David Gurniak
will be the celebrant and preacher at Sunday's 9:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist service at the church, 5 Main St. South.
There will be a Holy Eucharist and healing service Wednesday at noon.
A
Victorian Christmas open house
and dinner will be Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children age 12 and under.
For more information, call (860) 354-8269.

Congregational
BROOKFIELD -- In celebration of the first Sunday of Advent, the Rev.
Bryn Smallwood-Garcia
, senior pastor, and the Rev.
Jennifer Whipple
, associate pastor, will lead Sunday's 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. services in the church, 160 Whisconier Road.
Sunday school will be offered during both services, and Communion will be offered at the earlier service.
The men's group meets for breakfast and worship Saturdays at 8 a.m. and the women's study group meets Mondays at 9:15 a.m. and Tuesdays from 4:15 to 5:15 p.m.
For more information, call (203) 775-1259 or go to
www.uccb.org
.
Newbury Congregational
BROOKFIELD -- In celebration of the first Sunday of Advent, the Rev.
Paul R. Ricard
, pastor, will lead Sunday's 10 a.m. service at the church, corner of Route 133 and Tower Road. The sermon will be "Oh, You'd Better Watch Out."
For more information, call (203) 775-1392.
Prince of Peace Lutheran
BROOKFIELD -- The Rev.
Mark Nordskog
, pastor, will lead the children's sermon and preach the sermon at Saturday's 5 p.m. service at the church, 199 Junction Road (Route 133). Sunday worship services will be at 8:15 and 11 a.m.
A service of morning prayer will be Wednesday at 7:15 a.m., followed by breakfast.
For more information, call (203) 775-9070.
St. Paul's
BROOKFIELD -- The first Sunday of Advent will be observed at Sunday's 8 a.m. traditional and 10:30 a.m. family worship services at the church, 174 Whisconier Road.
The Rev.
Andrew Buchanan
, rector, will be the preacher at both services and the celebrant at the earlier service. The Rev.
Joseph Shepley
, priest associate, will be the celebrant at the later service.
There will be no Christian education class. Alpha Express will meet at 9:15 a.m., and Sunday school will be at 10:30 a.m. There will be no youth group meetings Sunday.
A healing service with Holy Communion will be Wednesday at 10 a.m.
A men's prayer breakfast is offered Saturdays at 7:30 a.m. Healing prayers are available by appointment.
The church will sponsor "Behold The Lamb," a musical tale of the coming of Christ, at
New Milford High School
Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at the door.
For more information, call (203) 775-9587 or visit
www.saintpaulsbrookfield.com
.
Valley Presbyterian
BROOKFIELD -- For the first Sunday of Advent, the Rev.
Ann Beams
will present the message "Still, Still, Still" at Sunday's 10 a.m. worship service at the church, 21 West Whisconier Road.
Adult Sunday school will begin at 9 a.m. with a unit on "Easter in November." Sunday school for children is offered during the service.
During November, the
Mission Committee
will be collecting women's business clothing and men's, women's and children's warm clothing for the shelters.
For more information, call (203) 775-2624.
The Burning Bush
DANBURY --
Tracey Gonzalez
, minister, will deliver the morning message at Sunday's 11 a.m. service at the church, 233 White St., second floor, with entrance on Meadow Street.
Joseph Fleming
, minister, will teach a discipleship training class at 10 a.m. Children's ministry takes place during the service.
A prayer service will be Tuesday at 7 p.m. Teaching and Family Night will be Wednesday at 7 p.m.
For more information, call (203) 794-1255 or visit
www.theburningbushchurch.com
.
Central Christian
DANBURY -- The Rev. Dr.
Mark Horton
, interim minister, will preach on "Advent Awakening" at Sunday's 10:30 a.m. service at the church, 71 West St. The candle of hope will be lit during the service.
For more information, call (203) 748-3020.
Christ the Shepherd
Presbyterian
DANBURY -- The Rev.
David Hutchinson
will deliver the sermon at Sunday's 10:30 a.m. service at the church, 52 Stadley Rough Road.
A woman's prayer meeting will be Wednesday at 9:45 a.m.
For more information, call the church office at (203) 743-3506 or visit
www.danburyshepherd.org
.

First Congregational
DANBURY -- The Rev.
Laura Westby
, senior minister, will deliver the sermon "A Shake-up, Not a Bailout" at Sunday's 10 a.m. Hanging of the Greens service for the first Sunday of Advent at the church, 164 Deer Hill Ave.
Church school will be offered during the service.
The Deer Hill Thrift "Christmas" Shop will be open Thursdays from 4 to 7 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For more information, call (203) 744-6177 or visit
www.firstchurchdanbury.org
.
Immanuel Lutheran
DANBURY -- In observation of the first Sunday of Advent, the Rev.
Walt Harper
will preside and preach at services Saturday at 5 p.m. and Sunday at 8 and 10:45 a.m. at the church, 18 Clapboard Ridge Road.
Sunday school begins at 9:15 a.m. and classes for all ages begin at 9:30 a.m.
Midweek Advent worship services will be Wednesdays at 7 p.m. during Advent.
For more information, call the church at (203) 748-3320.
For information on
Immanuel Lutheran School
, call (203) 748-7823.
Islamic Society
of Western Connecticut
DANBURY -- The daily prayer schedule at the masjid, 388 Main St., is as follows through Dec. 31: Fajr at 6 a.m., Zuhr at 1:15 p.m., Asr at 3:15 p.m., Mughrib at five minutes after sunset, Isha at 7 p.m., and Jumma Khutbah starts Friday at 1 p.m.
The
Islamic School
schedule is Friday from 7 to 9:30 p.m. and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Quranic reading classes for children are Tuesday and Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. and daily Quranic Nazrah classes are from 5 to 7 p.m.
For more information, call the masjid at (203) 744-1328 or visit
www.danburymasjid.org
.
King Street
United Church of Christ
DANBURY -- The Rev.
Cindy Maddox
, pastor, will lead Sunday's 9:30 a.m. service at the church, 201 South King St.
Sunday school will be offered for children during the service.
For more information, call the church office at (203) 748-0719 or visit
www.kingstchurch.org
.
Lighthouse Ministries
DANBURY --
Thom Lounsbury II
will minister during Sunday's 10:30 a.m. "Community Faith Service" at the church, 32 West St. The service will feature soloists and city Communion.
Bread and other bakery items will be distributed Saturdays from 9 to 10 a.m. at the parochial house, 28 West St. Anyone interested should call the church office.
The order deadline for the Lighthouse chapter of the "Serve New England" food co-op for December's pickup is Wednesday. Call the church office for more information.
An ecumenical prayer service for all faiths will be offered Wednesday at 7 p.m. There will be children's classes for age 4 and up at the same time.
An "open house" service will be Dec. 14 at 10:30 a.m. at the
Stony Hill Inn
, Route 6 in Bethel. A breakfast buffet will be available. For prices and more information, call the church office.
The annual "Women of Destiny" banquet will be Dec. 19 at 6 p.m. at the Stony Hill Inn. For prices and more information, call the church office.
For more information, call the church office at (203) 743-2687 or visit
www.lighthouseministriesintl.org
.
Long Ridge
United Methodist
DANBURY -- The Rev. Ferdinand Serra will lead Sunday's 9:15 a.m. service at the church, 201 Long Ridge Road. Sunday School is offered at the same time. For more information, call (203) 743-6095.
Kathleen Epps will offer the following devotional programs on Thursday mornings at the church: 8 a.m. prayer walk, 9 a.m. yoga, 10 a.m. tai chi and 11 a.m. Lectio Divina. These are free of charge, but donations to the church will be accepted. For more information on the Thursday morning programs, call (203) 544-8394.
St. James' Episcopal
DANBURY -- The Rev. Iris E. Peterson will be the preacher at Saturday's 5 p.m. Holy Eucharist service in the chapel and Sunday's 8 and 10:15 a.m. Holy Eucharist services in the sanctuary of the church, 25 West St.
A brunch and Advent wreath-making will be in Luckenbill Hall following Sunday's 10:15 a.m. service. Funds from the brunch will go toward a trip planned by the parish youth to Camp Coast Care in Mississippi for the spring.
The Evening Prayer service will be read Tuesdays and Thursdays during Advent at 7 p.m. in the chapel. A Holy Eucharist service will be celebrated in the chapel Wednesday at 7:30 a.m.
For more information, call the church office at (203) 748-3561.
St. Joseph
Roman Catholic
DANBURY -- In celebration of the first Sunday of Advent, the Mass schedule is as follows at the church, 8 Robinson Ave.: Saturday at 4 and 6 p.m. and Sunday at 7:30, 9 and 10:30 a.m., noon and 5 p.m. For more information, call (203) 748-8177.
St. Paul's Lutheran
DANBURY -- In celebration of the first Sunday of Advent, the Rev. Allen R. German, pastor, will be preacher and celebrant at Sunday's 10:15 a.m. service with Holy Communion at the church, 44 Spring St. Sunday school is offered at 9:15 a.m.
An Advent Morning Prayer will be offered Wednesday at 10 a.m. For more information, call the church at (203) 748-6442 or send e-mail to stpauls.luthrn.chu@snet.net.
Unitarian Universalist
DANBURY -- Rabbi Andrea Cohen Kiener, director of the Interreligious Eco-Justice Network, and Mary Collins, director of religious education, will speak on "Toxins Here! Toxins There! Toxins, Toxins Everywhere!" at Sunday's single 10 a.m. service at the church, 24 Clapboard Ridge Road.
The annual Holiday Boutique and Cookie Walk will be Dec. 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Gourmet cookies will be sold by the pound; knits, jewelry and crafts by area artisans will be for sale. The Snowflake Cafe will offer coffee and lunch. Admission is free.
For more information, call (203) 798-1994 or visit
www.uudanbury.org
.
United Methodist
DANBURY -- The Rev. Karen Karpow, pastor, will deliver the sermon "Hide and Seek" at Sunday's 10:30 a.m. worship service at the church, 5 Clapboard Ridge Road. The service will include Hanging of the Greens and a baptism. Sunday school will begin at 9:30 a.m. For more information, call the church at (203) 743-1503.
Victory Christian Center
DANBURY -- Kathy Smith, evangelist, will lead Sunday's 10:30 a.m. service at the church, 23 Eden Drive.
Christian education begins at 9:30 a.m. The children's church programs, "Kids for Christ," for ages 3 to 12, and "Ambassadors for Christ," for ages 13 to 18, are available.
For more information or transportation, call (203) 778-4444 or visit
www.gmvcc.org
.
Congregational
NEW FAIRFIELD -- The Rev. Dr. Patricia A. Nicholas will deliver the message at Sunday's 10 a.m. service at the church, 20 Gillotti Road.
The candle of hope on the Advent wreath will be lit during the service. Church school is offered at the same time.
A quarterly meeting will take place immediately following the service.
For more information, call the church office at (203) 746-2865 or send e-mail to ccnf@nfcongregational.org.
New Life Community
NEW FAIRFIELD -- The Rev. Chuck Ferrara will preach the message "Advent I: The Christ Child Discovered in Old Testament Prophecy" at Sunday's 9 and 11 a.m. services at the church, 1 Beaver Bog Road.
Children's church for children in kindergarten through fifth grade begins at 11 a.m. Sunday school for middle-schoolers through adults begins at 10:15 a.m.
A soaking prayer is offered Tuesdays from 7 to 9 p.m.
The Wednesday worship service will be at 7:30 p.m.
The Women's Ministry will meet Thursday at 9 a.m. for a Christmas luncheon.
A "drive-through" living Nativity will be on view Dec. 6 and 7 between 7 and 9 p.m.
For more information, call the office at (203) 746-3725 or visit the Web site at
www.newlife-umc.com
.
Faith Church
NEW MILFORD -- John Wagner, pastor, will deliver the message "Thanksgiving Leftovers" at Saturday's 6 p.m. and Sunday's 9 and 11 a.m. services at the church, 600 Danbury Road (Route 7).
Children's programs are available during services.
As part of the "Faith Gives Back Campaign," free Christmas trees will be given to needy families on Dec. 6. Those unable to purchase a tree may obtain one from the church on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. For more information, call the church.
For more information on the church or the WoW Kids Child Care, call (860) 354-7700 or visit
www.faithchurchct.com
.

First Congregational

NEW MILFORD -- The Rev. Michael J. Moran, senior pastor, will deliver the sermon "We Didn't Light the Fire" at Sunday's 10 a.m. service at the church, 36 Main St. During the service, the candle of hope will be lit for the first Sunday of Advent.

Church school is offered at the same time for children age 3 through seventh grade.

NEW MILFORD -- The Religious Society of Friends meets for worship Sundays at 10 a.m. at the meetinghouse, 300 Danbury Road (Route 7). Religious education for youth also is offered at 10 a.m.

Monthly potluck meals and discussions are scheduled regularly. For more information, call (860) 355-9330 or go to
www.housatonicmeeting.org
.

St. John's Episcopal

NEW MILFORD -- In celebration of the first Sunday of Advent, the Rev. Dr. Gail Keeney-Mulligan, pastor, will preside and preach at Sunday's 8 and 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist services at the church, 7 Whittlesey Ave. There is no Sunday school this week.

Keeney-Mulligan will preach at a Community Prayer and Praise service Sunday at 6 p.m.

There will be a healing service with Holy Communion Wednesday at 10 a.m. and a centering prayer Saturday at 10 a.m.

NEW MILFORD -- In celebration of the first Sunday of Advent, the Rev. Christian Bunzel, pastor, will deliver the sermon "Here Comes the Sun/Son" at Sunday's 10:30 a.m. Eucharist service at the church, 107 Kent Road (Route 7).

NEWTOWN -- The Rev. Barry Fredericks will speak on "Take That" at Sunday's 8:30 and 10:15 a.m. services at the church, 174 Mount Pleasant Road (Route 6). Programs for children and youth are offered during both services.

Family Matters LIVE! will take place Wednesday at 7 p.m. Fredericks and the Rev. Sheila Fredericks will lead this discussion-based service, during which children's and youth programs are offered.

A weekly healing service will be offered Thursday at 1 p.m.

New Hope Community

NEWTOWN -- Jim Solomon, lead pastor, will have the congregation deliver the message at the annual "open mic" service Sunday at 5 p.m. at 14 West St. For more information, visit
www.NewHope-cc.com
.

Newtown Congregational

NEWTOWN -- In celebration of the first Sunday of Advent, the Rev. Janice Touloukian will present the sermon "A Stronger, Greater Serving, Empowering Church" at Sunday's 10 a.m. service at the church, 14 West St. The Rev. Matt Crebbin will assist during the service.

Children will place crimsons on the sanctuary Christmas tree and there will be an outdoor Christmas tree lighting to kick off the season.

For more information, call the church at (203) 426-9600 or send e-mail to newcong@sbcglobal.net.

Trinity Episcopal

NEWTOWN -- Services will be offered Sunday at 7:30, 8:45 and 11:15 a.m. at the church, 36 Main St.

"The Compelling Voice of Silence," an adult education program, will be Sunday at 10 a.m.

A potluck dinner for creative use of Thanksgiving leftovers will be Sunday at 5 p.m. in the Glover Undercroft. Advent wreath-making will take place.

St. Nicholas Day will be celebrated Dec. 6 from 10:30 a.m. to noon in the Undercroft for children ages 3 through third grade. Storytelling, games and crafts will be featured.

The Trinity Choristers and the Choir of Men and Women will present a festival of lessons and carols for Advent Dec. 7 at 2 p.m. as part of the Newtown Holiday Festival.

For more information, call (203) 426-9070.

Calvary

Independent Baptist

REDDING -- Kenneth Brooks, pastor, will deliver the message at Sunday's 11 a.m. service at the church, 2 Side Cut Road. "Dealing with Church Problems and Problem Churches" will be the sermon at the 6 p.m. service.

RIDGEFIELD -- "Ancient and Modern Necromancy, alias Mesmerism and Hypnotism, Denounced" will be the topic of Sunday's 10:30 a.m. service at the church, 260 Main St.

Sunday school for children and teens is offered during the service.

Testimony meetings are offered Wednesdays at 8 p.m. The church also houses a Christian Science Reading Room which is open to the public Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon through December and by appointment.

For more information, call (203) 438-4780.

Ridgefield Baptist

RIDGEFIELD -- Joe Shea, pastor, will deliver the sermon at Sunday's 11 a.m. service at the church, 325 Danbury Road. Sunday school for all ages begins at 9:45 a.m.

Children's church for ages 4 through fourth grade is offered during the service.

ROXBURY -- Michael Phillips, pastor, will lead Sunday's 10 a.m. service at the Roxbury Town Hall.

Children's church is available. For more information, call (860) 210-1127.

Sherman Church

SHERMAN -- The Rev. Paul Astbury will preach "The Uses of Silence" at Sunday's 10 a.m. service at the church, 6 Church Road. Nonperishable food items will be collected for local food pantries and those in need.

The annual Christmas Bazaar will be Dec. 6 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Fresh arrangements of greens, gift items, homemade crafts and baked goods will be featured.

For more information, call (860) 354-6114.

South Britain

Congregational

SOUTH BRITAIN -- The Rev. Douglas Miller, interim minister, will lead Sunday's 10 a.m. service at the church, Route 172.